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Best in Show The suede knee-high with a stacked

heel (far left) is the Birkin bag of boots: object of desire, trend-defying

classic, future icon (Hermès, $2,250). Think ten, 20, even 30 years ahead, and the initial outlay may not seem

so outrageous. Coat, Sportmax. THE HEIGHT OF FASHION: Over-the-knee

boots (near left) are leading the pack this season (Devani, $165). They

camouflage all manner of leg issues (knobby knees, bigger thighs),

can be worn full-length or folded down, and look fantastic over leggings or

under skirts. Both pairs are in the latest go-with-everything neutrals—

beigy grays that you might call (with apologies to the bearded collies) Weimaraner colors. Jacket, ‘S by

Max Mara. Leggings, Tse. ›

The

BootWell-Bred

here they come, striding into fall: O took hundreds of pairs for a test-walk,

and these are the top dogs— from over-the-knee to ankle-high, neon to

neutral, glamorous to ruggedly chic.Photographs by d e w e y n i c k s

little manBearded Collie

whiteyBearded Collie

“heel, girl!” The best-behaved

new boots don’t teeter: They’re high enough to be stylish,

stable enough for Sunday strolls in

the park.

Stepping OutThe updated scrunch boot (Michael Kors, $895), equipped with an elasticized

ruffled top, flatters calves. Crush it down over leggings (Riller & Fount), as shown, or wear pulled up under a knee-length dress. And if you do orange only with black

or brown, you’re barking up the wrong tree; it’s chicer now to juxtapose bold colors—here, a scarlet coat (Moschino Cheap and Chic) and maroon bag (Botkier).

Old Dogs, New Tricks

The desert boot, a comfort staple since the 1950s, is

reinvented as a lace-up heel in its signature sand color

(Chloé, $695). The freshest way to wear it is with straight-leg pants (Sportmax) tucked

in—the better to see the sharply pointed leather cuff.

Wrap, Ralph Lauren Blue Label. Croc tote, Krocoa. On Keazy: Parka, Fab Dog Inc. ›

keazyCorgi

oscarCavalier King

Charles Spaniel

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Twinkle ToesFaux-steel toe-caps and

heels with a spray-painted look—graffiti art meets heavy

metal—are a witty touch for classic suede knee-highs

(Marc Jacobs, $1,000). Pinning on vintage-inspired

brooches (R.J. Graziano; House of Lavande) is a brilliant

way to punch them up (also a great upgrade for old

black boots). Dress, Peter Som. Clutch, VBH.

Fishnets, Hue.

dulcePomeranian

joaquinFrench Bulldog

A Trend with TeethExposed zippers are everywhere—sometimes functional, sometimes decorative.

On this midcalf boot, above left (Casadei, $990), they’re both, enabling you to wear the pair half-fastened (the flare makes calves look slimmer) or at their full height. Dress,

Michael Kors. Coat, J.Crew. Ring, Mawi. BEASTIE BOY: The shoe-bootie with an animal-print cuff, above right (Christian Louboutin, $975), is like a perfect pump that grew up and

went to Hollywood. Skirt, Erin Fetherston. Rings, Mawi. Give black boots some pop with brightly colored bags (fuchsia clutch, Krocoa; blue purse, Chanel) or mood-changing

patterned tights (pinstripes, Hue; lace, Falke). ›

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Over-the-Knee Ankle

GaininG altitude Big trend, little price. A slight dip in back

minimizes bulk around the knee. Skechers, $59.

sweet plum Wear this luscious

boot’s thigh-flattering contoured top

cuffed or unfolded. See by Chloé, $715.

up in smoke This side-buttoned, boldly seamed boot is an absolute pearl.

Seychelles, $230.

HiGH Rise This flat, foot-friendly

boot won’t tug at the knee because of the

double buckle in back. Volatile, $88.

Full CoveRaGe The gently bloused leg

and seaming at the knee ensure a hassle-

free fit. Restricted, $110.

Room at tHe topElastic in back makes this

perfect with tucked-in pants. Modern Vintage, $295.

on tHe maRCHA military-style army

green boot gets a flirty heel. Nine West, $149.

CRusH objeCtPrecreasing makes it easy to achieve the scrunched-down

look. Rocket Dog, $99.

FoReveR plaidThis buttoned-up boot

lets you test-drive fall’s dominant pattern.

Bakers, $70. ›

CuFF loveThis ankle-high wedge has material to spare.

Ash, $200.

so FieRCe From a Project Runway

winner, faux-snake boots with a spiky heel. Christian

Siriano for Payless, $50.

all tied up This lace-up style with

a low stacked heel hugs the ankle. Clarks, $140.

easy RideRThe familiar biker shape shows a softer side in eggplant suede. Libby

Edelman, $90.

deliCate matteRThis dainty boot

laces up in back like a corset. Mia, $89.

tHis stud’s FoR youA graceful pattern takes the menace out of heavy

metal. Miu Miu, $870.

Zip dRiveMetal trim gives an industrial feel; distressed leather makes for a broken-in look. Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent, $350.

Good at details This boot synthesizes cuffs, zippers, and a platform sole

into one handsome package. Diane von Furstenberg, $395.

great buy!

samPit Bull

Asphalt JungleGray is fall’s preeminent

shade—an excellent base for stronger colors. Snap

on your best friend’s leash and head for the street in

a double-strapped, stacked-heel boot (Coach, $528). Good news for muscular

calves: Your legs needn’t be pipestems to fit into

this roomy, gaiter-inspired style. Coat, DKNY. Skirt, Diane von Furstenberg.

Tights, Fogal.

great buy!

great buy!

great buy!

great buy!

snow dayFrom a label known for indoor

attire comes this faux-shearling platform. Colin Stuart for

Victoria’s Secret Catalogue, $79.

great buy!

great buy!

Cute as a buttonIf you have a vintage soul,

these old-fashioned boots are the next best thing to a

thrift-shop find. Söfft, $151.

comfort

your booT Search iS over!bRowse HeRe for 62 finds in nine categories. look for those marked Great buy! (under $100) and Comfort (pairs made for walking).

do tHe FlipPull up over the

knee for an edgy, all-suede leg,

or turn down. Calvin Klein, $220.

comfort

comfort

great buy!

comfort

puRple HaZeThis leather boot with

snakeskin trim reflects the season’s ’80s obsession. Devani, $165.

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splasH outIt’s raining chains.

Pour on the luxury in a boot with built-in

jewelry. Burberry, $395.

Rain Boot Vegan

Wide Calf

saddle upThis cotton canvas and

leather equestrian boot makes the ankle

look slimmer. Silhouettes, $129.

FRee RanGeA larger calf can get right into this

timeless knee-high. J.Crew, $345.

lady in RedThere’s space to

spare in a riding-boot-style pull-on. Lumiani, $179.

stRetCH ClassThe hand-knit

shaft expands to fit any calf. Tashkent

by Cheyenne, $738.

GoinG upThis over-the-

knee boot makes wide calves a

nonissue. Sam Edelman, $175.

CiRCle GameRound buckles

shine on a roomy boot from the

comfort-shoe people. Rockport, $200.

Midcalf

tHe belt wayBuckled, burnished,

and practically begging for thick tights

and a tweed skirt. Botkier, $645.

two-way CHiCThe tightly shirred top can be pushed down

to midcalf or extended to its full height.

Enzo Angiolini, $189.

RanCH dRessinG Don’t buck the

cowboy trend; here’s a citified version

with a stacked heel. Børn Crown, $190.

walk tHe lineThis artful cuff is a standout, with its bicolor geometric

precision. Matisse, $180.

uRban CowboyThis sophisticated boot

has contrasting topstitching. Lauren by

Ralph Lauren, $198.

it’s a GiFtA graceful ankle-high tie makes the slouchy

plum suede exceptionally feminine.

Circa Joan & David, $199.

a leG up The vertical seam on

this supple leather wedge generates a long,

slim line. Belle by Sigerson Morrison, $495.

beyond tHe pale This tender blush is not

the usual boot neutral. It will put spring in your winter.

Fratelli Rossetti, $720.

CRoC oF aGesIt’s actually stamped leather in a subtle,

carefully shaded color. H Williams, $815.

tRiple playThis shapely version (with

those ubiquitous buckles) is a cheap thrill. Merona, $45.

tHe sHininG This close-fitting pull-on

has a sexy vibe—more like fishnets than boots. White House Black Market, $118.

take a HikeThe duck boot freshens

up with tweed and snake-patterned rubber. Sorel, $95.

All-WeatherKnee Boot

leatHeR and laCe Unleash your inner Victorian. Donald J Pliner, $595.

touGH CustomeRAn incredibly priced

shoe-bootie has buckles and an industrial-

strength platform sole. Anne Michelle, $30.

it’s a CinCHThis year even boots wear belts. From Kim

Kardashian’s addictively well-priced Web

site. ShoeDazzle, $39.

just add wateRWith its soigné heel, this

doesn’t look like a rain boot…and that’s the point. Aquatalia by Marvin K., $350.

sexy beastNothing crunchy-

granola about this sleek shoe-boot with

triple-threat straps. Novacas, $140.

CReatuRe ComFoRtPlenty of brave new

buckled-up style, and not a scrap of animal-

derived products. NeuAura, $129.

Shoe-Boot

RHinestone Cowboy A midcalf boot (The Frye Company, $648) gets a dusting of sparkle.

great buy!

HiGH and dRyWrap your legs in

pale patent, and pray for rain. Sperry Top-Sider, $198.

HoRse senseDerived from the

riding boot, this knee-high of simulated

suede is a good sport. OlsenHaus, $250.

waRmHeaRtedIt looks totally luxurious,

but this slouchy “fur”-topped boot is 100 percent cruelty-

free. Cri de Coeur, $290.

great buy!

RideR on tHe stoRmThis rubber equestrian

boot is a natural puddle-jumper. Banana

Republic, $98.

great buy!

Hot CHoColate Instead of black, try the more

casual warmth of a brown boot. Dexter for Payless, $45.

great buy!

stRap-Happy Running-shoe technology

makes a good-looking stacked heel a dream for the

feet. Cole Haan, $498.

Flex and tHe City A leather boot has convenient elastic side panels for on-and-off ease. Corso Como, $285.

winninG stReak A suede boot acquires

a slimming patent stripe. Curations with Stefani

Greenfield, $250.

great buy!

FeelinG sHeepisH It’s faux, but no less

cozy than the real deal (and a lot more affordable).

Payless, $45.

puCkeR upA snuggly, lined ruched

boot has a sole that’s a star on ice. Tecnica, $130.

Fashion editor: Kym Canter. Prop stylist: Noemi Bonazzi for Marek and Associates. Manicure: Dida at raybrown pro.com. For details see Shop Guide.

comfort

great buy!

Good mileaGe A suede knee-high with a flat rubber sole will be your go-to weekend boot—guaranteed.

Ecco, $200.

comfort

blue Heaven Cloud-walk to work in

flat knee-highs with fall’s signature three-buckle look.

Aerosoles, $160.

comfort

comfort

Get punked A surprisingly tasteful

studded boot: tall, flat, black. It’s punk with a better

attitude. Daniblack, $295.

great buy!

snow bunnyHere comes the fuzz.

Totally faux pull-on turns blizzards into comfort zones.

Manitoba Mukluks, $199.

comfort

comfort

comfort

comfort

s

s

beyond RubbeRThe company that made Wellies famous does a

knee-high in water-resistant suede. Hunter, $495.

khufuBull Mastiff

shooterYorkshire Terrier